Get the Traveller's Guide to customs

Thursday 20, May 2010

With the 2010 Fifa World Cup only weeks away, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) has released a handy guide to customs requirements when entering and leaving the country for the 300 000 international visitors expected for the tournament.

SARS is the government body tasked with gathering tax and customs revenue, and ensuring contraband of all kinds does not enter or leave South Africa. Its Traveller's Guide details what visitors can expect at customs when they arrive in the country, and lists prohibited goods and goods that have to be declared.

There are also sections on duty-free allowances, goods on which duty has to be paid, and an explanation of the "red" and "green" channels tourists can choose between as they are processed through customs.

Finally, the guide explains the customs procedure for when travellers leave South Africa, including how tourists can reclaim value added tax on goods bought during their stay in the country.

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